At UFC 322, set for Saturday, November 15, 2025, a significant clash of coaching styles will take place. Australian Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Craig Jones will support Jack Della Maddalena, while former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will coach Islam Makhachev. The event is being held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Carlos Prates Chooses Coaching Style
Welterweight fighter Carlos Prates recently expressed his preference for training under Craig Jones rather than Khabib Nurmagomedov. This declaration came after Prates secured a first-round knockout victory against Geoff Neal. As he prepares for a pivotal fight against Leon Edwards, Prates is contemplating his training regime and lifestyle.
Why Craig Jones Over Khabib?
- Prates appreciates Jones’s relaxed approach.
- He highlighted that Jones allows him to enjoy nightlife and smoke.
- In contrast, Prates believes Khabib would enforce strict discipline.
Prates jokingly stated, “If I train with Khabib, he’s going to break my video game and not let me smoke.” Despite his unconventional habits, Prates has proven he can perform at a high level, recently ranking No. 9 in the Welterweight division.
Impact on Rankings
With a win over Edwards, Prates could quickly jump into the top five of the Welterweight rankings. His unique lifestyle, which includes smoking around 12 to 15 cigarettes daily, is uncommon for fighters, yet it hasn’t hindered his performance significantly. In a previous battle against Ian Machado Garry, Prates almost made a remarkable comeback despite losing.
UFC 322 Main Event Highlights
The main event features Islam Makhachev aiming to achieve “double-champ” status by challenging Jack Della Maddalena for the Welterweight title. This highly anticipated bout promises to reshape the 170-pound division.
The co-main event showcases a champion vs. champion matchup. Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko will defend her Flyweight title against Strawweight contender Zhang Weili. This fight is expected to emphasize both elite striking and grappling skills.
As the UFC returns to Madison Square Garden, fans are excited for the action-packed card. Keep an eye on Carlos Prates as he seeks to elevate his status and possibly challenge for the title in the near future.
